Cable-panel connector for bridge platform or other scaffolding

ABSTRACT

A connector for covering an opening in and connecting a scaffolding panel to an underlying cable. One plate has a portion pivotally attached to another plate for movement within a slot thereof, an arcuate portion to cradle the cable and extend back through a slot in the other plate for securing, and a neck therebetween which suspends the arcuate portion at a distance below the other plate to ease receiving the cable. The plates alternatively abut. Alternatively, the plates are hingedly joined with one having an arcuate cable-receiving portion which extends back through a slot in the other plate for securing with a wedge which is inseparable from the plates.

Priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/276,972,filed Sep. 18, 2009, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference,is hereby claimed.

The present invention relates generally to bridge platforms or otherscaffolding. More particularly, the present invention relates toscaffolding wherein panels are supported by cables which are attached attheir ends to bridge or other structure. Such a platform or scaffoldingis illustrated in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,523,644; 6,386,319;6,302,237; 6,264,002; 6,227,331; 6,138,793; 6,135,240; 6,003,634;5,921,346; and 5,730,248, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

Such a platform structure requires that the cables, which passunderneath and support the panels, be securely connected releasably tothe panels. One such connector which has served this function well isillustrated, for example, in FIGS. 10 to 15 of my aforesaid U.S. Pat.No. 6,135,240 and in FIGS. 15 to 17 of my aforesaid U.S. Pat. No.6,523,644, wherein the connector comprises a plate which engages theupper surface of a panel, and a generally U-shaped member which isattached to the plate to extend downwardly therefrom to be received in apanel opening and to receive the cable. The free end of the member isthreadedly attached to another plate wherein the two plates generallycover the opening with the cable securely received within (between thelegs of) the U-shaped member, as more fully described in my aforesaidU.S. Pat. Nos. 6,135,240 and 6,523,644.

My prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,002 (see FIG. 21 thereof) discloses aPanel-cable fastener, which also works well, wherein an arcuate memberis received in a panel opening, receives the cable, and bears againstthe under surface of the panel, and a lever is rotatably connected tothe arcuate member to bear against the upper surface of the panel tosecure the connection of the cable to the panel.

Other art which may also be of interest includes U.S. Pat. Nos.5,957,239; 6,568,874; 6,755,590; 6,860,672; 4,348,128; 4,525,096;5,119,529; 6,948,703; and 5,409,339 all of which along with otherpatents and published applications discussed herein are incorporatedherein by reference.

While the above-discussed connector in my aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos.6,135,240 and 6,523,644 has served well, nevertheless it requires twoparts to be assembled as well as a nut which must be screwed onto thefree end of the member, i.e., a total of three separate parts as well asan electric or other wrench for applying the nut sufficiently tight.Likewise, the connector of my aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,002 requirestwo parts to be assembled as well as a pin (or nut and bolt) for addedsafety, a total of two or more separate parts. There thus exists along-felt need for a self-contained panel to cable connector, i.e.,wherein all of the needed parts are permanently interconnected so thatthey are not lost one from the other.

While the above-discussed connector in my aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos.6,135,240 and 6,523,644 has served well, nevertheless when the cornersof four overlapping panels 22 are all together being attached to a cable24, the connector of my aforesaid U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,135,240 and6,523,644, illustrated at 400 in FIG. 37, affords minimal clearance, asseen in FIG. 37, with the result that it is often difficult to receivethe cable 24 within the U-shaped member 402. But the cable must betightly held necessitating that it not be too large. There thus exists along-felt need for a panel to cable connector which, while tightlyholding a cable attached to a panel, affords greater clearance for moreeasily achieving the attachment, particularly when it is necessary toattach as many as four overlapping panels to the cable.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide aconnector which is easier and quicker to install.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a connectorwherein all the parts are self-contained, i.e., wherein all of theneeded parts are permanently interconnected so that they are not lostone from the other.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connectorwhich is quicker to install.

In order to provide such a connector which is easier to install and thussatisfies the long-felt need, in accordance with the present invention,the U-shaped member is provided with a neck portion to afford greateraccess to receive the cable, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 36 and 38 ofthe appended drawings and as more particularly discussed hereinafter.

In order to provide such a connector wherein all the parts areself-contained and thus satisfies the long-felt need, in accordance withthe present invention, all of the essential connector parts (with theexception of pins and the like which are staple items of commerce) areassembled so as to be inseparable, as more particularly discussedhereinafter. Preferably, even the parts which are staple items ofcommerce are also inseparable from the other parts of the connector.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention as well as an appreciation of the long-felt needs out of whichthe present invention arose will be apparent in the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment(s) thereof when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein the same referencenumerals denote the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector, which embodies the presentinvention, connecting a supportive cable to a panel of a platform.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are elevation and perspective views respectivelyillustrating a sequence of connecting the cable to the panel.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the connector as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the connector as illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a first plate and attached generally U-shapedmember of the connector.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the first plate and attached generallyU-shaped member.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second plate (including attachments thereto)of the connector.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the second plate (including attachmentsthereto).

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a wedge for the connector.

FIG. 11 is an elevation view of the wedge.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the wedge, taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the connector taken along lines 13-13 inFIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a connector in accordance with analternative embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in a closedposition.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the connector of FIG.14, illustrated in the closed position.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 14, illustrated in theclosed position.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 14, illustrated in theclosed position attaching a cable to a deck panel.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 14, illustrated in anopen position.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 14, illustrated in anopen position and illustrating the use of a tool for manipulating theconnector to the closed position in a first step.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 14, illustrating the useof the tool for manipulating the connector to the closed position in asecond step.

FIGS. 21 to 25 are views similar to those of FIGS. 14 to 18 of aconnector in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the connector of FIGS. 21 to 25, shownin an open position.

FIGS. 27 to 31 are views similar to those of FIGS. 14 to 18 of aconnector in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a connector in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention, illustrated in a closed position.

FIG. 33 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 32.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a plate (with attached U-shaped memberportion) of the connector of FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is a side view of the plate (with attached U-shaped memberportion) of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a plan view of another plate of the connector of FIG. 32.

FIG. 37 is a schematic view of a prior art connector in the process ofattaching a cable to four deck panels.

FIG. 38 is a schematic view of the connector in accordance with thepresent invention (FIGS. 14 to 36) in the process of attaching a cableto four deck panels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 13, there is illustrated generally at 20 aconnector or deck clip composed or steel or other suitable material forconnecting a platform panel 22 to an underlying supportive cable 24. Itshould be understood that the panel 22 is one of a series of panels laidside-by-side and/or end-to-end to form a platform for conductingmaintenance work on a bridge or to otherwise form a scaffoldingplatform, and the cable 24 is one of a series of parallel cables whichunderlie and support the panels 22 and the ends of which are secured toportions of the bridge or other structural portions or otherwisesuitably secured, as described in more detail in my aforesaid patents.One or more openings or slots, one illustrated at 26, are provided inthe panel 22 for use in connecting the panel 22 to the cable 24, as willbe described in greater detail hereinafter.

The connector 20 includes first and second plates 28 and 30 respectivelywhich are sized to together overlie and extend beyond the slot 26lengthwise, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. A generally U-shaped orgenerally arcuate (or otherwise suitably shaped) member 32 is welded orotherwise suitably attached to the first plate 28 to be received withinthe slot 26 for receiving the cable 24 in the cradle, illustrated at 34,between the legs 36 and 38 thereof, the leg 36 being the one which isattached to the first plate 28. Since the panel 22 may overlap with 1 to3 other panels, there may be from 1 to 4 such slots 26 in which themember 32 is received for attaching 1 to 4 panels 22 respectively to thecable 24, only one such slot 26 being illustrated for ease ofillustration. The slot 26 is sized to allow the U-shaped member 32 to bemanipulated into position with the leg 38 extending below the panel 22suitably to allow the underlying cable 24 to be received within thecradle 34 and then, as illustrated in FIG. 2, to allow the terminal endportion 40 to extend above the panel 22 in position for securing theconnector with the cable 24 securely received between the cradle 34 andthe one or both of the plates 28 and 30 (for example, as illustrated,between the cradle 34 and the second plate 30).

A pair of vertical plates 42 are welded or otherwise suitably attachedto the first plate 28 (i.e., normal to the first plate 28) along thelateral edges thereof and adjacent the end which faces the second plate30. As illustrated, each of the plates 42 is shown to comprise twoplates 45 and 46 welded together, but may suitably comprise a singleplate. By “horizontal” and “vertical,” as used herein and in the claims,is meant orientation with reference to the normal position of theconnector when connecting a cable to a panel as shown in FIG. 1 with theplates 28 and 30 lying horizontally on the horizontally disposed panel22. The plates 42 have aligned (coaxial) apertures, illustrated at 44.

A pair of vertical plates 48 are welded or otherwise suitably attachedto the second plate 30 (i.e., normal to the second plate 30) spacedinwardly from the lateral edges thereof by a distance equalapproximately to the width of the respective vertical plate 42 andadjacent and extending beyond the end which faces the first plate 28 soas to lie in an overlapping relation therewith. The plates 48, similarlyas plates 42, have aligned (coaxial) apertures, illustrated at 50.

On each side of the connector 20, a hinge pin 52 is suitably received inthe respective aperture 44 and the respective aperture 50 to therebyhingedly connect the first and second plates 28 and 30 thus allowinghinged movement of plate 30 with respect to plate 28, as illustrated at54 in FIG. 2, from its position illustrated in FIG. 2 to its positionillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. It should be understood that the plates 28and 30 may be otherwise suitably hingedly connected.

The slot 26 is suitably sized to allow the position of the U-shapedmember 32 to be suitably manipulated to a position of the terminal endportion 40 below the panel 22 suitably to receive the cable 24 withinthe cradle 34 followed by raising the terminal end portion 40 so that itextends above the panel 22. In order to achieve this manipulation, forexample, the connector plates 28 and 30 may each have a width of about1½ inches and a thickness of about ⅛ inch, the slot 26 may have a widthof about ¾ inch and a length of about 6 inches, and the connector plates28 and 30 may have lengths of, for example, about 5 inches and about 4⅛inches respectively. Although the slot 26 appears schematically in FIGS.1 and 3 as well as in other FIGS. herein to extend width-wise beyondedges of the plates 28 and 30 (or other plates) for ease ofillustration, the position width-wise of the slot 26 is more clearlyshown in FIG. 6. Once the cable 24 is received in the cradle 34 and theterminal end portion 40 manipulated to the position illustrated in FIGS.1 to 3 wherein it extends above the panel 22, the second plate 30 ishingedly swung downwardly, as illustrated at 54, and the terminal endportion 40 caused to be received in an aperture, illustrated at 56,suitably positioned in the second plate 30, the second plate 30 beingpositioned co-planar with first plate 28 to rest on the panel 22 andtogether overlie the slot 26 longitudinally as well as completely orpartially overlying the slot 26 laterally or width-wise. The adjacentend edges of the plates 28 and 30 meet or engage each other to preventfurther movement of the plate 30 in the direction 54 relative to theplate 28.

The U-shaped portion 32, except as specified hereinafter, is generallycircular, having a diameter, illustrated at 58 in FIG. 13, which is, forexample, about ½ inch. The cross-sectional dimensions are reduced sothat terminal end portion 40 has a generally rectangular cross-section,the width laterally, illustrated at 60 in FIG. 13, being, for example,about ¼ inch, and the width longitudinally, illustrated at 62 in FIG. 5,being, for example, about ⅜ inch. The terminal end portion 40 terminatesin a generally circular (with the side tapered, as illustrated at 64 inFIG. 5) cap portion 66 whose diameter, illustrated at 67 in FIG. 5, isequal approximately to the width 62, thus providing lateral overhangingledges 68 having a width of, for example, about 1/16 inch.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the U-shaped portion 32 is secured inposition by a wedge 70 comprising a pair of elongate generally parallelwalls 72 joined by end walls 74 and 75 at their ends respectively bywelding or by other suitable means and having a width to allow itsreceipt with substantial clearance between the vertical plates 48, asseen in FIG. 4. The bottom surfaces (which engage or lie on the plates28 and 30), illustrated at 76 for walls 72, are flat. The upper surfaces78 of the walls 72 are similarly tapered as follows. An end portion 80of each of the surfaces 78 is generally flat, and the other end portion82 of each of the surfaces 78 is tapered upwardly (the walls 72 aretapered upwardly so that height of the wedge 70 increases, at an angle,illustrated at 83 in FIG. 11 of, for example, about 12 degrees) over thedistance from the flat portion 80 to the end thereof (with the surfaces78 becoming flatter near the wedge end. The walls 72 are spaced, forexample, about 5/16 inch, to receive the terminal end portion 40therebetween while also being able to engage the ledges 68. As the wedge70 is moved in the direction illustrated at 82 in FIG. 3 to its positionas illustrated in FIG. 1, it more and more tightly wedges between theledges 68 and the plate 30 to tightly hold the terminal end portion 40in position. At the end of the wedge, the cap portion 66 is received inrecesses, illustrated at 84, in the surfaces 78 to lock the wedge in thewedged position.

The distance, illustrated at 86, between the facing inner surfaces 88 ofthe portion of the wedge 70 containing the flat surface portions 80 isenlarged to, for example, about ½ inch to provide an opening 90sufficiently large to allow the wedge 70 to be removed from the terminalend portion 40, as seen in FIG. 2, to permit the hinged movement 54 ofthe second plate 30 relative to the first plate 28. It should beunderstood that the wedge 70 may be otherwise suitably sized and shapedto achieve the desired wedging effect.

As a safeguard, the wedge 70 is provided to generally retain theposition of the terminal end portion 40 as long as the terminal endportion 40 is not removed through the opening 90. Thus, the wedge 70 isprovided to generally retain the terminal end portion 40 position whenin the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

When erecting or dismantling platforms, it is considered desirable notto allow connector components to be able to become separated from eachother. In order to prevent the wedge 70 from becoming separated, as seenin FIG. 2, a T-shaped member 92 having a rod-shaped portion 94 ispreferably welded (or otherwise suitably attached such as by a tightthreaded connection) to the second plate 30 generally centrally thereofto extend upwardly therefrom and the central portion of a cross member96 (also rod-shaped) preferably welded (or otherwise suitably attachedsuch as by a tight threaded connection) to the upper end of the portion94 to extend laterally of the connector 20 between the upper endcorners, illustrated at 98, and closely adjacent thereto to. Thus, asapparent from FIGS. 1 to 3, while the wedge 70 may not be attached oreven touch the rest of the connector assembly 20, it nevertheless isinseparable therefrom during normal use of attaching and detaching thepanel 22 from the cable 24, although it may of course be separatedtherefrom by the use of extraordinary efforts, such as by cutting orotherwise dismantling the T-shaped member 92 from the connector, forother purposes such as maintenance or repair. Thus, while the wedge 70is detachable from and may not even touch the terminal end portion 40and the remainder of the connector assembly 20, it nevertheless is notinseparable therefrom during normal use of the connector 20 since itcannot be moved away from close proximity thereto. Moreover, it can beseen that all of the other connector parts are also inseparable fromeach other, although they may also be disassembled for purposes such asmaintenance or repair.

As used herein and in the claims, the terms “attached” and “attachable,”or variants thereof, with respect to two or more parts, refer to and aredefined as a fastening of the parts in such a manner that they are fixedfirmly in direct contact with each other. As used herein and in theclaims, the term “inseparable,” or variants thereof, with respect to twoor more parts, is defined as parts which, during normal use for theirintended purpose, cannot be parted from close proximity to each other,whether or not they are attached or attachable or in contact or touchingeach other. The term “connected,” or variants thereof, has the normalmeaning as defined in a dictionary. Thus, in accordance with the abovedefinitions, two or more parts may be detachably attached during normaluse but not be inseparable, and two or more parts may be inseparable butnot be attached, and two or more parts may be both detachably attachableand inseparable. Also in accordance with the above definitions, two ormore parts may be assembled to be inseparable and disassembled to beseparated, and while they are assembled to be inseparable while beingused for their intended purpose, they are inseparable, as that term isdefined, even though they may later be disassembled to be separated forother purposes such as for maintenance or repair. For example, a pair ofrings may be inseparable in that each passes within the other, yet therings are unattached (as that term is used herein) in that the rings arenot fixed firmly in direct contact with each other (they may or may notbe in contact with each other). Thus, as is apparent from FIGS. 1 to 3,the wedge 70 may be positioned so as not to touch any of the parts whichconstitute the rest of the connector 20 (i.e., unattached thereto) yetbe inseparable therefrom.

In order to connect the panel 22 to the cable 24, with the second plate30 hingedly moved to the position shown in FIG. 2, the first plate 28 ismanipulated to effect passage of the U-shaped member 32 into the slot 26and receipt of the cable 24 in the cradle 34, then the second plate 30is hingedly moved, as illustrated at 54 in FIG. 2, and the terminal endportion 40 received in passage 90 and between the wedge walls 72. Thewedge 70 is then moved in the direction illustrated in 68 in FIG. 3 towedge the wedge 70 between the ledges 68 and the second plate 30. Inorder to lock the wedge 70 in position, the wedge is positioned as inFIG. 3, and the wedge end wall 75 may be tapped with a hammer toposition the ledges 68 in the recesses 84. In order to dismantle theconnector 20, the other end wall 74 is tapped with a hammer and thewedge 70 manipulated to remove it from the terminal end portion 40 bypassing the terminal end portion 40 through the opening 90, then thesecond member moved as illustrated at 54 to the position shown in FIG. 2after which the first plate may be manipulated to remove the cable 24and thereafter remove the connector 20 from the opening 26. This can allbe done easily and quickly. Since all of the connector parts includingthe wedge 70 are inseparable from each other, this can all be donewithout fear of losing any connector parts.

Referring to FIG. 38, there is illustrated at 410 a connector memberhaving a portion 412 and a U-shaped or generally arcuate portion 414.The portion 414 is provided to extend (be translated) through the slots(not shown in FIG. 38) in four deck panels 22 and to be swung around asillustrated at 117 to receive the cable 24 therein for attachment of thecable 24 to the panels 22 as more particularly discussed hereinafterwith respect to FIGS. 14 to 36. In order to provide greater access ofthe U-shaped portion 414 to the cable 24 for easier as well as quickerattachment, in accordance with the present invention, the connectormember 410 is provided with a neck portion, illustrated at 416 in theembodiments thereof in FIGS. 14 to 31 as well as generically in FIG. 38and at 516 in the embodiment of FIGS. 31 to 36. The greater access ofU-shaped portion 414 (452 in FIG. 31 to 36 or 114) with the neck portion416 (516 in FIGS. 31 to 36) to the cable is best seen when comparing theaccess provided by the generic connector embodiment 410 of FIG. 38 withthe neck portion 416 with the lesser access provided by the prior artconnector embodiment 400 and 402 of FIG. 37 without such a neck portion.Thus, the neck portion 416, having the length illustrated at 417, isprovided to suspend the U-shaped portion 414 at the increased distance417 below the deck panels 22 so that easier and quicker manipulation ofthe connector to effect connection of the cable 24 may be achieved.

The distance, illustrated at 417 in FIGS. 18 and 38 (as well as in FIGS.24, 25, 30, 31, and 35 for other embodiments), defines the neck portion416 which, as previously discussed, is provided to afford greater accessto the cable 24 for more easily and quickly connecting it to the panelor panels 22. The neck portion 416 is provided to suspend the U-shapedportion at a distance below the deck panels so that such greater accessmay be achieved. This distance or neck portion length 417 can be as longas is needed to provide suitable access, such as about 1 inch, forexample, about ½ inch. Preferably, the neck has a round (rather thanflat) cross-section, which is stronger. For the purposes of thisspecification and the claims, a “neck portion” is defined as a portionwhich attaches the arcuate portion which receives a cable to the portionwhich remains lying along or over the panel and which is passablethrough a slot in another part or plate overlying the panel to increasethe distance below the another part or plate to which the arcuateportion is suspended and which lies along or over the panel when thecable has been attached. Thus, the neck portion is generallyperpendicular to the arcuate portion leg to which it is attached andextends from an edge of the other portion to which it is attached in adirection length-wise of the other portion, as seen at 417 in FIG. 35,and this is meant to be the length-wise direction even if the portion426 is shortened from the length shown in FIG. 35 so that its lengthbecomes its width. The neck portion 416 has a thickness or diameterwhich is preferably substantially equal to or less (but may be larger)than the corresponding thickness or diameter of the U-shaped portion towhich it is attached. For the purposes of this specification and theclaims, a “U-shaped” portion is defined as a portion of a structurewhich is arcuately formed or otherwise formed to, as a portion of thestructure, be able to extend from the level of a deck panel downwardlythen upwardly to the level of the deck panel in a manner to be able toreceive a cable within the U-shaped portion (or between downwardly andupwardly extending legs thereof) for connecting of the cable to the deckpanel.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 20, there is shown generally at 100 a connectorin accordance with an alternative embodiment, which includes the neckportion 416. Unless otherwise specified herein, the parts of theconnector 100 as well as connector 20 are composed of steel or othersuitable material. The connector 100 includes a first part 102 in theform of a generally flat rectangular plate desirably rounded at thecorners and sized to lie on and engage the top of a panel 22 to which asupporting cable 24 is attached or to be attached and to cover orpartially cover an opening 26 in the panel 22 which is used to make theconnection. The plate 102 has two longitudinally spaced slots oropenings, illustrated at 104 and 106, whose purposes will be hereinafterdescribed. It will be apparent that an embodiment can be envisionedwherein a long slot may be provided which includes both of these slots104 and 106. Accordingly, these slots 104 and 106 as well as othersimilar pairs of slots or apertures disclosed herein are collectivelyreferred to herein and in the claims as slot means.

Connector 100 also includes a second part 108 in the form of a generallyflat plate, desirably rounded as suitable at corners such as at 110,which is received in slot 104 to lie generally normal to plate 102. Theplate 108 has a generally rectangular first portion 112, the neckportion 416 (defined by distance 417 in FIG. 18) and a generallyarcuate, U-shaped, or otherwise suitably shaped second portion 114extending from an end of neck portion 416 and terminating in a terminalfree end portion 116. The planes of planar plates 102 and 108 are seen(best seen in FIG. 14) as being normal to each other. As hereinafter, apivot connection, illustrated at 122, of the plates 102 and 108 definesan end of the first portion 112 and beginning of the neck portion 416,the pivot connection 122 allowing the neck portion 416 to pivotallyextend below the first plate 102 as best seen in FIG. 18, therebysuspending the arcuate portion 114 by the distance 417 so that the cable24 may be more easily received or cradled by the arcuate portion 114 foreasier attachment of the panel or panels 22 to the cable 24.

The first portion 112 is sized so that its terminal end portion 118extends beyond the respective end of the slot 104 so that it rests onthe plate 102 when the connector 100 is in the closed positionillustrated in FIGS. 14 to 17. Material may be selectively removed as at119 or otherwise as appropriate to lighten the connector.

These plates or parts 102 and 108 are detachably attachable to eachother, as discussed hereinafter, to attach the panel 22 to theunderlying supporting cable 24. However, it is considered desirable thatthe parts 102 and 108 (as well as any other parts making up theconnector) not become separated/lost from each other when they aredetached. In order to make all of the connector 100 (especially theessential parts thereof) self-contained, i.e., wherein all of the neededor essential parts and especially parts 102 and 108 remain together(even while they are detached) so that they are not lost, the parts 102and 108 are assembled so that they are inseparable, and other partsdiscussed hereinafter are also preferably inseparable from the connector100, during their normal use of attaching and detaching the panel 22from the cable 24, as discussed hereinafter.

Longitudinally spaced from the end portion 118 is an aperture,illustrated at 120, in the first portion 112 in which is received acylindrical pin 122 which thusly extends normal to the first portion 112so that it can lie on and engage the plate 102. The pin 122 is welded asby welds 123 (illustrated in only some of the drawings) to the firstplate 102 or otherwise suitably attached thereto. For example, the pin122 may be alternatively attached to plate 102 by a mounting bracket oneach side of the slot 104 and by cotter pins to be received in endportions of the pin 122 to retain the pin 122 fixedly attached, butwherein it is removable for purposes of repair or maintenance, thoughnot removable during normal use of the connector 100. The pin 122 thusgenerally serves as a fulcrum or pivotal attachment for rotation orpivoting of the second plate 108 thereabout, as illustrated at 124 inFIGS. 18 and 19. The slots 104 and 106 are preferably located centrallyor midway between the sides of the first plate 102 (but may otherwise belocated suitably intermediate thereof), and the pin length is preferablyabout the same as the width of the first plate 102 and preferablyreceived in the aperture 120 so that it extends across the width of thefirst plate 102 so that it suitably supports the second plate 108thereon.

The pin 122 is received preferably centrally of the width, illustratedat 126, of the first portion 112, and the width 126 is preferably suchas to allow a portion 128 of the first portion 112 to be received withinthe slot 104 and extend slightly below the slot 104 when the connector100 is in a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 17, to thereby addstability to the connector 100 when in the closed position. A notch,illustrated at 130, is preferably provided in the lower edge of theterminal end portion 118 to allow the terminal end portion 118 to reston the upper surface of the first plate 102 when the connector 100 is inthe closed position.

The length and width, illustrated at 105 and 107 respectively in FIGS.16, 18, and 26, of the slot 104 are, for example, about 2¼ and 3/16inches respectively.

The second plate 108 is suitably shaped so that, when the connector 100is in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 17, the arcuate orU-shaped or otherwise suitably shaped second portion 114, havingpreferably a uniform width as well as thickness, extends downwardly fromthe first portion 112 below the first plate 102 then upwardly with theterminal end portion 116 thereof extending through the slot 106, therebyto connectively capture the cable 24, as illustrated in FIG. 17.

The terminal free end portion 116 has a plurality of, for example, 4longitudinally spaced grooves or indents or slots or cutouts,illustrated at 132, in its outer edge adjacent its terminal end whichdefine a plurality of, for example, 3 longitudinally spaced teeth 134.

A pair of upstanding outwardly sloping generally flat members 136 arewelded or otherwise suitably attached to the first plate 102 with theirlower edge portions received in recesses, illustrated at 138, in thelongitudinal edges of the plate 102. Each of these members 136 has agenerally elongate aperture or opening, illustrated at 140, rounded atthe ends, which slopes upwardly at an angle, illustrated at 142, whichis preferably between about 30 and 60 degrees, for example, 57 degrees.A cylindrical member 144 is received in both of the openings 140, andenlarged heads 146 (large enough to not pass through the respectiveopening 140) are received on the ends of the member 144 so that themember is inseparable from the members 136 yet is free to move upwardlyand downwardly in the openings 140. For example, the cylindrical member144 and one of the heads 146 may be a bolt, and the other head 146 maybe a nut threadedly and tightly received on the bolt and, if desired,welded thereto. The openings 140 are generally aligned with the firstplate opening 106.

The cylindrical member or pin 144 (being moved outwardly or generally ina direction away from the terminal end portion 116 as it is movedupwardly) is acccordingly generally moved out of the way as the terminalend portion 116 is moved upwardly through the opening 106 (the secondplate 108 rotated as appropriate about pin or fulcrum 122). However,like a fish-hook, the cylindrical member or pin 144 is urged inwardlyinto a groove 132 as it is urged downwardly by gravity to settle into agroove 132, creating a pinching effect to thereby lock or retain theterminal end portion 116 in the opening 106 and thus lock or retain theconnector 100 in the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 17,whereby the supporting cable 24 is connected to the panel 22. In orderto release the terminal end portion 116 for movement out of the opening106 to a connector open position such as illustrated in FIG. 18, thecylindrical member 144 is pulled upwardly in the openings 140 so as tobe moved outwardly of the grooves 132 and held there thereby allowingthe terminal end portion 116 to be moved downwardly out of the opening106.

The first portion 118 of the second plate 108 has a generally square orotherwise suitably shaped upwardly extending portion 148 adjacent thesecond portion 114. This portion 148 has an upwardly sloping notch,illustrated at 150, in its inner edge (edge facing away from the secondportion 114).

The terminal free end portion 116 has a generally parallelogram-shapedupwardly extending notch, illustrated at 152, in its inner edge(opposite the grooves 132) adjacent its terminal end.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, in order to provide suitable leverage formanipulating the second plate 108 from the open to closed positions, acrow-bar like tool, illustrated schematically at 154, is providedwherein the terminal end of a portion 156 is received in the notch 150and wherein, with the tool 154 bearing against the first portion 118 ofthe second plate 108, force is applied, as illustrated at 158, toanother tool portion 160 to rotate the second plate 108 for movement ofor to pry the terminal end portion 116 into the opening 106.

When the terminal end portion 116 is moved far enough into the opening106 for the notch 152 to be above the first plate 102 and accessible tothe tool 154, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the terminal end of toolportion 156 is inserted in the notch 152 and, with the tool 154 bearingagainst the first plate 102, force is applied, as illustrated at 162, totool portion 160 to rotate the second plate 108 further for movement ofthe terminal end portion 116 further upwardly, capturing the cylindricalmember 144 in a groove 132 to lockingly effectuate a tight connection.

The tool 154 may be similarly used for moving the second plate 108 intoposition for connecting the panel 22 to the cable 24 in the embodiments(hereinafter discussed) of FIGS. 21 to 25 and of FIGS. 26 to 30.

Referring to FIGS. 21 to 26, there is illustrated generally at 200 aconnector having an alternative structure 202 for lockingly retainingthe terminal end portion 116 in position connecting the panel 22 to thecable 24. With the exception of the structure 202, the connector 200 issimilar to the connector 100.

Structure 202 includes a pair of upstanding outwardly sloping generallyflat members 204, which are similar to members 136 and similarly weldedor otherwise suitably attached to the first plate 102. Flat members 204have aligned apertures, illustrated at 206, in which are rotatablyreceived (by means of suitably bearings or otherwise as suitable) ashaft 208. A gear wheel 210 is suitably fixedly received (such as bypins or set screws or other suitable fasteners) centrally on therotatable shaft 208 and disposed between the flat members 204 forrotation. Alternatively, the shaft 208 may be suitably mountednon-rotatably in the apertures 208 and the gear wheel 210 suitablyrotatably mounted on the shaft 208.

The gear wheel 210 has a plurality of gear teeth 212, having suitablychamfered corners 214, in its circumferential periphery around thecircumference thereof. The gear wheel 210 is positioned so that the gearteeth 212 mate with and are received in the grooves 132 whereby therotation of the gear wheel 210 is effected as the terminal end portion116 is moved upwardly through the slot 106 for connecting the panel 22to the cable 24.

When the terminal end portion 116 has been moved, as illustrated at 117in FIG. 26, into a suitable position, such as shown in FIGS. 21 to 24,it is suitably locked in that position (the gear wheel 210 is preventedfor rotating) such as by a pin 216 which is receivable in an aperture,illustrated at 218, in one (or both) of the flat members 204 and in oneof a series of circumferentially spaced alignable apertures (not shown)in the gear wheel 210. These alignable apertures are preferably spacedentirely around the gear wheel 210 and are preferably equal andsimilarly spaced to the number of gear teeth 212 so that the gear wheel210 may be locked in any of various incremental positions thereof. Thepin 216 is preferably made inseparable from the other parts of theconnector 200 by suitable means such as, for example, a suitablelanyard, illustrated schematically at 220, suitably tied or connected atone end to the pin 216 and at the other end to the first plate 102. Thepin 216 may be suitably retained in the locking position by beingpinched therein, but other suitable means (such as, for example, athreaded connection of the pin in an aperture 218 or in a gear wheelaperture) may be provided for securing the pin 216 in the lockingposition against inadvertent removal thereof. In order to remove the pin216 and release the connection of the cable 24 to the panel 22, theterminal end portion 116 may be pried upwardly slightly to release thepinching force, whereby the pin 216 may then be removed. The pin 216may, for example, have an enlarged head (not shown) thereon to allow itto be grasped for removal.

Referring to FIGS. 27 to 31, there is illustrated generally at 300 aconnector having an alternative structure 302 (instead of members 136and 144) for lockingly retaining the terminal end portion 116 inposition connecting the panel 22 to the cable 24. With the exception ofthe structure 202 (and elimination of members 136 and 144), theconnector 300 is similar to the connector 100.

Structure 302 comprises a generally horseshoe-shaped flat member 304including a portion 314 having a thickness, illustrated at 306, andfurther including an enlarged thickness (or increased height) handleportion 308. A groove, illustrated at 310, is provided in its inner edge(opposite the handle 308), defining a pair of spaced prongs 312. Thethickness 306 is less than the width of a groove 132 so that the portion314 is receivable like a wedge between a pair of the teeth 134. Thewidth, illustrated at 316, of the groove 310 is greater than thethickness, illustrated at 318, of the terminal end portion 116 so thatthe wedge member 304 can be moved into the position illustrated in FIGS.26 to 29 with the prongs 312 securely straddling the terminal endportion 116 and with the portion 314 received between a pair of theteeth 134 so that the position of the terminal end portion 116 issecurely maintained with the member 304 pinched between a tooth 134 andthe plate 102. In order to remove the member 304 to disconnect the panel22 from the cable 24, the pinching force is relieved by pulling orprying up slightly the terminal end portion 116. The member 304 ispreferably made inseparable from the other parts of the connector 300 bysuitable means such as, for example, a suitable lanyard, illustratedschematically at 320, suitably tied or connected at one end to themember 304 and at the other end to the first plate 102 or, for anotherexample, a suitable slider/track built into the first plate 102 whichnon-removably receives the wedge 304, with a manual lock at the engagedposition.

As used herein and in the claims, the phrase “consisting essentially ofa plurality of parts” is intended to refer to all of the parts making upthe connector, with the exception of any parts not needed for connectorfunction and with the exception of parts such as pin 216 (FIG. 21) orwedge 302 (FIG. 31) which are easily replaceable staple items ofcommerce. In this respect, the wedge 70 (FIG. 1) would not normally beconsidered to be a staple item of commerce since it would normally bespecially built for the connector. As may be used herein and in theclaims, the phrase “consisting of a plurality of parts” is intended torefer to all of the parts making up the connector, which would includeitems such as pin 216 (FIG. 21) or wedge 302, with the exception of anyparts not needed for connector function. In accordance with the presentinvention, all of the connector parts (with possibly the aboveexception, wherein a workman may carry, for example, spare pins 216around in his pocket) are assembled so that they are not lost one fromthe other as work is being performed high on bridge platforms or otherscaffolding.

Referring to FIGS. 32 to 36, there is illustrated generally at 420 analternative embodiment of a connector with the neck portion 416 toprovide greater access to the cable 24 for attaching it to one or moredeck panels 22 so that the attachment may be performed more easily andquickly. While only one deck panel 22 is shown in FIGS. 32 and 33 forease of illustration, it should of course be understood that a pluralitysuch as 4 such deck panels may be connected to a cable 24, such asillustrated in FIG. 38.

The connector 420, composed of steel or other suitable material,comprises first and second parts 424 and 422 respectively which includegenerally rectangular flat plates 428 and 426 respectively which, whenin position attaching cable 24 to the deck panels 22, abut along edges432 and 430 respectively to together overlie (preferably both width-wiseand length-wise) the deck panel opening 26. For uniformity, the plates426 and 428 are preferably of the same thickness and width, which may,for example, be about ¼ inch and about 1½ inch respectively. First andsecond plates 428 and 426 respectively may have lengths of, for example,about 3 inches and about 1½ inch respectively. First plate 428 may havea width and length of, for example, about 3 inches and about 6½ inchesrespectively.

When in position attaching the cable 24 to the deck panels 22, as seenin FIGS. 32 and 33, the first and second plates 428 and 426 respectivelyhave end edges 432 and 430 respectively which abut and face each other.Each of the first and second plates 428 and 426 respectively has a slotor notch, illustrated at 436 and 434 respectively centrally of itsfacing edge 432 and 430 respectively so that the notches are inalignment, notch 436 being rectangular and notch 434 being generallyrectangular with a domed inner end. Each notch 434 and 436 may have alength of, for example, about 1 inch. Notches 434 and 436 may havewidths of, for example, about 9/16 inch and about ⅝ inch respectively.

A rectangular plate 438 is welded or otherwise suitably attached to theupper surface of first plate 428 and extends beyond the facing edge 432in order to provide a seal against debris falling through cracks. Firstplate 428 has an aperture, illustrated at 440, centrally of the widththereof. The aperture 440 may have a diameter of, for example, about9/16 inch, and its center may be located from notch 436 a distance of,for example, about 1¾ inch.

Second part 422 includes a U-shaped or generally arcuate portion 452(corresponds to portion 414 in FIG. 38) sized and shaped and attachableto plate portion 426 (as discussed hereinafter) to be translatablethrough and to extend downwardly from the deck panel slots 26 thenupwardly with its terminal end portion 444, which is threaded asillustrated by threads 446, passing through aperture 440. The U-shapedportion 442 is sized to receive cable 24 between the U-shaped portion442 (i.e., cradled between the legs 460 and 462 thereof) and the secondplate 428. A suitable nut 448 (for example, a ½ inch hex full nut) issuitably applied to the threads 444 of the threaded terminal end portion456 thereby to securely attach the cable 24 to the deck panels 22.

While the neck portion 416 could be formed as part of the plate portion426 by notching corners at one end of the plate portion 426 to form areduced width portion to serve as the neck portion, it is preferred thatthe neck portion 416 be formed as described below (formed of round baror otherwise formed to be circular in cross-section) in order to providegreater strength.

The neck portion 416 (defined by the length 417 in FIG. 34) is part of alonger portion which is interposed between and attaches the U-shapedportion 442 to the first plate portion 426, as discussed hereinafter.Thus, an extension portion 464, having the same diameter as neck portion416, extends from the neck portion 416 to extend to and abut the innerend of the notch 434 where it is fixedly attached such as by welding.The portions 416, 442, and 464 may be composed, for example, of ½ inchround bar wherein these portions are welded together as at weldsillustrated at 450. Thus a U-shaped portion 452 may, for example, bebent to be radiused at 1½ inch and one end welded to portion 454 (forexample, radiused at ¼ inch) and the other end welded to threadedterminal end portion 456 (which may have a length, for example, of 1½inch). The portion 454 may be welded to the portion comprising portions416 and 464. It should of course be understood that these portions maybe otherwise suitably sized and shaped in a manner which allows the neckportion 416 and the U-shaped portion 452 to be translated through thedeck panel slots 26 (with the plate portion 426 having a width toprevent its passage therethrough and instead to allow it to cover thedeck panel slots 26).

The portion 416 extends generally perpendicular or normal to the leg 460of the U-shaped portion 452. The portion 464 may have a length of, forexample, about 1 inch, and the neck portion length may, for example, beabout ½ inch (or up to about 1 inch, as desired). Since the diameter ofthe combined extension and neck portions, as illustrated in FIG. 35, isabout twice the thickness of the plate portion 426, it can be seen inFIGS. 33 and 35 that the lower part of the combined extension and neckportions 464 and 416 respectively extends below the plate portion 426.When the plate portions are disposed in the connecting relationshipshown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the neck portion 416 is received in the firstplate slot 436. Thus, the neck portion 416, like the plate portion 426,extends generally along or over the panel or panels 22 and is thus saidto extend in a direction length-wise of the plate portion 426.

In order to attach the cable 24 to the deck panels 22, the U-shaped andneck portions 452 (or 414) and 416 respectively of the second part 422are passed (translated) downwardly through the deck panel openings 26,as illustrated in FIG. 38, the neck portion 416 suspending the U-shapedportion 452 (or 414) below the deck panels 22 by the distance generallyindicated at 417 thereby to make the connection easier and quicker. Thesecond part 422 is manipulated to receive the cable 24 after which theterminal end portion 456 of the U-shaped portion 452 is inserted throughthe first plate aperture 440 and, with the plate portions 426 and 428abutting and together overlying the deck panel openings 26, asillustrated in FIGS. 32 and 33, the nut 448 applied thereby to easilyand quickly secure the cable 24 to the deck panels 22. The neck portion416 of the embodiments of FIGS. 14 to 31 is also translatable throughthe deck panel openings to similarly suspend the corresponding U-shapedportion below the deck panels 22 by the distance generally indicated at417 thereby to also make the connection easier and quicker.

It should be understood that, while the present invention has beendescribed in detail herein, the invention can be embodied otherwisewithout departing from the principles thereof. For example, there may besuitable alternative embodiments to structure 136, 144, 146 andstructures 202 and 302 for locking the terminal end portion 116position, and the neck portion 416 and U-shaped portion may be otherwisesuitably embodied. For another example, a neck portion similar to neckportion 416 (FIGS. 32 to 35) may be provided to connect the U-shapedportion 32 to the plate 28 of the connector 20 of FIGS. 1 to 13 so thatthe U-shaped portion 32, like the U-shaped portion 442, may be suspendedat a distance below the deck panels 22 to similarly make the connectioneasier and quicker. Such other embodiments are meant to come within thescope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. A connector for connecting at least one panel to an underlying cable,the connector comprising a first part having slot means therein and asecond part including a first portion, said first part and said firstportion in combination for overlying an opening in the at least onepanel, said second part further comprising a generally arcuate secondportion having a terminal end portion and sized and shaped for extendingbelow the at least one panel and for passing of said terminal endportion through said slot means whereby said second part can bemanipulated to receive the cable within said generally arcuate secondportion and to then pass said terminal end portion through said slotmeans to define a closed position, structure for retaining said terminalend portion in the closed position, and a neck portion attaching saidfirst and second portions, said neck portion extending from said firstportion in a direction length-wise of said first portion and sized topass downwardly through said slot means during manipulation of saidsecond part for receiving the cable.
 2. A connector according to claim 1wherein said first and second parts are plates whose planes are normalto each other.
 3. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said secondportion is a plate which has a notch extending into one end portionthereof, an extension portion extends from said neck portion and isreceived in said notch, said neck, extension, and second portions aregenerally rod-shaped, and said neck and extension portions have adiameter which is greater than a thickness of said plate and aredisposed partially below said plate, and said neck portion lies withinsaid slot means when the connector is in the closed position.
 4. Aconnector according to claim 1 wherein said neck portion has a length ofup to about 1 inch.
 5. A connector according to claim 1 wherein saidretaining structure includes threads on said terminal end portion forreceiving a nut.
 6. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said firstand second parts are inseparable.
 7. A connector according to claim 1wherein said first and second parts and said retaining structure areinseparable.
 8. A connector according to claim 1 wherein said secondpart is a plate which is at least partially received in said slot means,said second part pivotally attached to said first part thereby allowingrotation of the second part about the pivotal attachment and definingsaid first and neck portions on opposite sides respectively of thepivotal attachment.
 9. A connector consisting essentially of a pluralityof parts all of which are inseparable, and means for forming adetachable attachment between at least two of said inseparable parts forconnecting a panel to a supporting cable.
 10. A connector according toclaim 9 wherein a first of said plurality of parts comprises a firstplate sized for at least partially overlying an opening in the panel andhaving slot means therein, wherein a second of said plurality of partscomprises a second plate which is at least partially received in saidslot means and which has first and second portions, said second portionshaped to extend downwardly from said slot means then upwardly throughsaid slot means to define a closed position retaining the cable beneathsaid first plate, structure for retaining said second portion in saidclosed position, wherein said second plate is pivotally attached to saidfirst plate whereby to effect movement of said second portion to andfrom said closed position, and said means for forming a detachableattachment comprises structure for detachably attaching said secondportion to said first plate for retaining said second portion in saidclosed position.
 11. A connector according to claim 10 wherein saidsecond plate further has a neck portion connecting said first and secondportions, wherein the pivotal attachment defines said first and neckportions on opposite sides thereof, said neck portion being passablethrough said slot means as said second plate is pivoted to suspend saidsecond portion at a distance below the panel during manipulation of saidsecond plate to receive the cable.
 12. A connector comprising a firstplate having slot means therein, a second plate at least partiallyreceived in said slot means and pivotally attached to said first plateand having first and second portions, said second portion shaped andsized to extend away from said first plate then toward said first plateand through said slot means to define a closed position, and structurefor detachably attaching said second portion to said first plate to locksaid second portion in said closed position.
 13. A connector accordingto claim 12 wherein said second plate further has a neck portionconnecting said first and second portions, wherein the pivotalattachment defines said first and neck portions on opposite sidesthereof, said neck portion being passable through said slot means assaid second plate is pivoted to lower said second portion duringmanipulation thereof to said closed position.
 14. A connector accordingto claim 12 wherein said first plate is sized for overlying an openingin a panel and wherein said second portion is sized and shaped toreceive a cable between said second portion and the panel for connectingthe panel to the cable.
 15. A connector according to claim 12 whereinsaid detachably attaching structure comprises a plurality of spacedgrooves in a terminal end portion of said second portion and structureconnected to said first plate and adapted to lockingly mate with saidgrooves.
 16. A connector according to claim 15 wherein said matingstructure comprises an elongate member sized to be receivable in saidgrooves, said elongate member positioned for movement in an inclinedslot in a direction away from said terminal end portion as said terminalend portion is pushed through said slot means whereby to effect settlingof said elongate member lockingly in one of said grooves when saidterminal end portion is released from being pushed.
 17. A connectoraccording to claim 15 wherein said detachably attaching structurecomprises a gear wheel having teeth sized to be receivable in saidgrooves and a pin for locking the gear wheel position, wherein said pinis connected to one of said first and second plates to be inseparabletherefrom or wherein said detachably attaching structure comprises awedge sized to be receivable in said grooves and connected to one ofsaid first and second plates to be inseparable therefrom.
 18. Aconnector comprising first and second hingedly joined plates, a memberattached to said first plate and extending therefrom and having a freeend portion, an aperture in said second plate for receiving said freeend portion, and a wedge for retaining said free end portion in saidsecond plate aperture.
 19. A connector according to claim 18 furthercomprising structure for retaining said wedge inseparable from saidfirst and second hingedly joined plates.
 20. A connector according toclaim 18 wherein said first and second hingedly joined plates areadapted to at least partially cover an opening in a panel and whereinsaid member attached to said first plate is adapted to cradle a cablepassing below the panel to support the panel, whereby to attach thepanel to the cable.